How To Rock The Pantless Trend This Spring & Summer

Of all the trends that came out of 2023 — and there were many — one of the coolest has to be the pantless trend. It didn't just look great in all its variations, but was a true testament to what it means to be effortlessly chic, while also being confident as heck. As the summer came to an end and the colder weather rolled in, it might have been easy to assume the look was merely a flash in a pan, but that ended up not being the case at all. Instead, there were legions of fans who stuck to the no-pants trend through the winter. 

Despite being well into 2024, the pantless trend is going strong, evidenced most notably by Kristen Stewart, who has completely skipped pants all together during the press tour for her film "Love Lies Bleeding." "Fashion is just expressing what's going on broadly in culture," culture journalist Christina Binkley told USA Today. "We're in a rule-breaking era." Speaking about the no-pants look, Binkley added, "In a lot of these cases, they're not any more revealing than they would be if they were in a bathing suit. It looks a little shocking to those of us who aren't accustomed to seeing that, but these are just rules that somebody made up at some point."

Whether you made it through the winter going pantless and you want to transition the trend so it's spring- and summer-friendly, or you're ready to give it a try for the first time, you can absolutely rock this look. In fact, anyone can, and feel deliciously free while doing so.

Even though Bella Hadid was spotted rocking this look back in 2022, it remains one of the most iconic ways to wear the no-pants look. Combining a pair of men's briefs, a t-shirt and jacket, and bare legs all but scream spring has arrived. Early in the season, your feet will do best by being covered up (think Uggs or a pair of trendy engineer boots), but by July you can swap those out for sandals. Although super on trend, this is probably the most pearl-clutching of the pantless looks, so be prepared for some second (and third) glances from the strangers lucky enough to walk past you.

If you're not sure you can go out into the world with bare legs and undies alone à la Bella Hadid, then a fantastic option for embracing the pantless trend is choosing oversized tops. Whether it's a linen or cotton blazer worn over an oversized t-shirt, or simply just an oversized button-down alone, it's a look that works on anyone hoping for a bit more coverage on their bottom half. 

Let's be honest: boxer briefs have always been in style. Once you slip on a pair of these babies, there's no turning back. While to the untrained eye they may look like shorts, they're definitely not. They're made of far flimsier fabric, and feature a hole in the front so people can easily access their goods. Pairing boxer briefs with a light cardigan on top and a pair sneakers is a laid-back, classic combination. But if you're looking to achieve elevated casual, your best bet is pairing some loafers with this outfit instead. 

Although we've already covered oversized tops as a fun avenue for achieving the pantless look, if you're more of a casual soul who doesn't feel completely at home in blazers and button-downs, then a t-shirt is the way to go. T-shirts also provide you with the opportunity to make a statement with images, symbols, or phrases (if you're a statement-making type of person). The black tights definitely bring this whole look together, making it a bit dressier as opposed to casual. 

As 2024's patron saint of the no-pants trend, we'd be remiss not to showcase Kristen Stewart in a high-cut bodysuit and black tights at the premiere of "Love Lies Bleeding." While she's certainly not the only one to rock this combo, she definitely does it best, serving up lots of inspiration for a totally pantless spring and summer, because who doesn't want to feel free on their bottom half?

As British Vogue's fashion features director Julia Hobbs told BBC's Woman's Hour, the pantless look is about "people wanting to be themselves in how they dress ... We should feel confident to embrace this. I think it does lean into this attitude of 'take me as I am' and feeling great in their own skin and owning it." In other words, ditch your pants and show off your skivvies to the world. Or at least opt for a variation of the look that's most comfortable for you. Never forget: the best pants are no pants.